Maui Business

More than 350 supporters gathered at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui, on Saturday, Oct. 26 for Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction. Proceeds from the event will directly support MEDB’s STEM programs, which provide students here at home with learning opportunities spanning from kindergarten to college and beyond, shaping future generations of innovators and leaders.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Small Business Regulatory Review Board, which oversees rules and regulations for Hawai‘i small businesses, has announced its officers for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Maui County continued to have the largest vacation rental supply in the state in September — 263,900 available unit nights, compared with 230,500 on Oʻahu, 214,600 on Hawaiʻi Island and 136,600 on Kauaʻi, according to a monthly vacation rental performance report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is urging local small businesses to complete the Federal Reserve Bank’s annual Small Business Credit Survey.

The Hawaiʻi Pacific Export Council, in partnership with key Maui business support organizations and Amazon, successfully hosted the Maui Business Resilience Summit at UH Maui College’s Pilina Building.

The US Small Business Administration has awarded the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism $525,000 to continue the Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program.

Four local food-focused entrepreneurs will share a total of $50,000 in cash prizes to expand and scale their businesses as winners of Kamehameha Schools’ 2024 Mahi‘ai Match-Up, a business plan competition that aims to strengthen Hawai‘i’s food system. The winning companies — Hā Tonics, The Local General Store, Polipoli Farms, and Manu Brewing Co. — were honored Thursday at ʻAha ʻAina Pauahi, a celebration at the Royal Hawaiian Center. 

Hawaiian Airlines commemorated 40 years of service connecting Honolulu and Pago Pago in America Samoa on Thursday. Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated flights to Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa on Oct. 24, 1984, with DC-8 aircraft, starting its long relationship with the US territory.

The Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union announced its merger with HMSA Employees’ Federal Credit Union following a final member vote on Oct. 15, 2024.

The county’s unemployment rate in September was 4%, compared to the 8.5% rate in September 2023, a month after the Maui wildfire disaster in early August last year. In August of this year, the county’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 4%.

A new deal between the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Meet Hawai‘i and JTB seeks to recover the pipeline of Japan business meetings in Hawai‘i.

The long-awaited Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, “Pathways To Our Future” takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Organizers say participation and generosity helps to advance STEM education and workforce development, playing a vital role in the well-being and future prosperity of the islands.

The representative of the owner of Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is lauding the Maui County Council’s approval of rezoning for the Kahului complex that has struggled in recent years with the decline of brick-and-mortar shopping malls.

Young Brothers, LLC has filed a rate case with the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission, requesting approval of a $26.3 million increase in revenue – or an average 20% increase in rates for the majority of cargo – to cover significant increases in the cost of service, support critical investments to upgrade equipment and infrastructure, and sustain the vital interisland shipping service that connects the state’s island communities. 

Following a successful year at their upcountry storefront, ʻOkoʻa Farms announces the purchase of an additional unit to expand their operations. The 1,000 square foot unit will provide them the space to feature more locally sourced produce and products while providing market-goers with an elevated shopping experience.

Maui’s Ronnie Espiritu, an employee at the Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, was named the Food & Beverage Person of the Year by ARDA-Hawaiʻi, the local chapter of the American Resort Development Association.

The 2024 Mana Up Showcase marks the culmination of the annual six-month accelerator, highlighting 10 must-watch Hawai‘i-based product companies from Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island. These emerging brands, alongside many more, will be featured during the Mana Up Showcase 2024: Alikaleo Park, Bizia Surf, Farm to Fudge, Hawai‘i Ulu Cooperative, Honua Skincare, Kaua‘i Hemp Co., Kris Goto, Okonokai, To Be Organics, and Waiwaolani.

Maui property owners impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires can access free or reduced-cost home design plans and rebuilding assistance through a collaborative effort between the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and local AIA Maui chapter architectural firms, including Hawaii Off Grid Architecture + Engineering.

A mix of first-time and returning Maui businesses showcased their products at the 2024 Tokyo International Gift Show, held Sept. 4-6 at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center in Japan.

Maui Economic Opportunity will provide money management education, credit counseling and debt management assistance to those impacted by the August 2023 wildfires with a grant from the American Red Cross.